Written by Clementine |
Beijing Nanluoguxiang, also known as South Gong and Drum Lane or Nanluogu Lane, is a well-known Beijing hutong situated on the east side of Beijing’s central axis. It runs from Drum Tower East Street (Gulou Dong Dajie) in the north to Ping’an Street in the south. It is one of Beijing’s oldest blocks, dating back to when the Yuan Dynasty’s capital was established.
Now, Nanluoguxiang street combines the petty bourgeoisie with traditional culture and characteristics of Beijing, making it one of famous landmarks of Beijing. When walking the Nanluoguxiang hutong, you can sample Beijing local foods and snacks, shop souvenirs, and enjoy wonderful night life. To experience the soul of the old Beijing, you are highly recommended to visit Nanluoguxiang on your Beijing tour.
Fast Facts about Nanluoguxiang Hutong
- Chinese name: 南锣鼓巷
- Address: Nanluoguxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- Length: 787 m
- WidthL 8m
- Opening hours: Full day and night
- Entrance fee:Free
- Best for: History and culture lovers, foodies
Beijing Nanluoguxiang Street History
The formation of Nanluoguxiang can be traced back to the construction of the capital of the Yuan Dynasty. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, it was the garrison of the Yellow Banner. From the end of the Guangxu period to the Xuantong period, Nanluoguxiang was assigned to the Third Inner Left District. During the Republic of China period, it became part of the five districts in Beijing.
Nanluoguxiang was once home to numerous high-ranking officials and cultural celebrities. Today it still has the distinctive texture of Yuan Dynasty hutong courtyards. What’s more, this street has not only retained many historical hutongs and green-brick and gray-tiled courtyards, but also imprinted a rich humanistic and historical heritage thanks to the former mansions of celebrities. With a rich historical and cultural legacy, Nanluoguxiang is now one of Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods, and a must-visit site on a trip to Beijing.
The Layout of Nanluoguxiang
If you look at a Nanluoguxiang map, you’ll notice that the street runs north to south and has followed the “checkerboard” design from ancient times.
There are 8 hutongs orderly arranged from east to west, which looks like the shape of “fishbone”. This kind of architectural style is typical in Yuan dynasty.
The whole block is like a large centipede, so it is also called Centipede Street. It is said that there were two ancient wells in the northernmost part of the Nanluoguxiang, which happened to be the two eyes of this centipede.
What to See and Do in Nanluoguxiang: Time-honored Architectures and Cultural Activities
The former site of Wanqing Pawnshop: it is located in No.1 Demoiselle Hutong, on the side of Nanluoguxiang. It is one of the five major pawnshops in the capital in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Wanqing Pawnshop was closed down, and was renovated and reopened in 2006.
Level point stone monument: it is located in the north corner of Xikou Road of Nanluoguxiang and Qianyuanensi Hutong. The monument is 1 meter high and 0.2 meter wide, made of alabaster, with one side engraved with “Measurement of Beijing’s Level” and the other side engraved with “Metropolitan Municipal Office”. The stone monument was erected during the Republic of China, marking the highest point of the old Beijing inner city, 49 meters above sea level.
The stone culture exhibition area is located at the west entrance of Nanluoguxiang and Juer Hutong. The old stone stele, stone pier, horse stone and horse stone are displayed here.
China Labrang Folk Culture Experience Museum in Nanluoguxiang is a “Gannan Window” set up in Beijing by Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province. It recreates Gannan’s natural scenery and cultural customs through copying, spray painting, sculpture and projection, and displays local folk culture.
Additionally, there are many former residences of celebrities and ancient buildings in hutong. For instance, the former residence of the last empress Wanrong, Keyuan garden, Qi baishi’s old residence memorial hall (Yuer hutong), Mao dun’s former residence (No.13, houyuanensi hutong), etc.
Night Market
Nanluoguxiang Night Market is one of the most artistic street markets in Beijing. Many artisans gather here to create unique art and crafts with their own hands. From exquisite embroidery to quaint pottery, from unique jewelry to creative household items, each piece is full of ingenuity and creativity. Enjoy unique Beijing shopping experience here.
What to Eat in Nanluoguxiang Street
There are lots of food shops and restaurants in Nanluoguxiang with popular and delicious Beijing snacks that are worth tasting, such as Beijing roast duck, noodles with bean paste, stir-fried liver, sugared gourd, Stir-fried bean curd with bean sauce, huoshao, etc.
Below are the most popular restaurants with their signature dishes:
Wenyu cheese shop (No. 49, Nanluoguxiang): double-skin milk and syrup of plum
Guke (No.108, Nanluoguxiang) and Zamo(No.106, Nanluoguxiang) both have palatable pizza, the pizza of mutton shashliksuch in Guke and the pizza of Kung Pao Chicken and Peking Duck are special dishes.
The corn juice is famous at the shop named “there is no juice corn” (No.145, Nanluoguxiang).
There are many novel and small stores selling different kinds of souvenirs, such as a store named Band-aid 8 (No. 61, Nanluoguxiang) owned by a British sellingprinted enamel red washbasin, old tin toys and other T-shirt with the civil culture of old Beijing.
>> Further reading on 15 Most Popular Beijing Restaurants
Nanluoguxiang Hotels
Nanluoguxiang offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury boutique hotels to low-cost hutong hostels and guesthouses, including Chinese Culture Holiday Hotel Nanluoguxiang, Citigo Totel, Peking Youth Hostel, The Orchid Hotel, Han’s Royal Garden Hotel, and more.
How to Get to Nanluoguxiang Hutong Alley?
By bus
- Tourists can take Bus No.5, No.60 and No.82 and get off at the Drum tower (Gulou) Station, and then walk about 300 meters to the Nanluoguxiang.
- Tourists can take Bus No.3, No.13, No.60, No.118 and No.612 and get off at the Nanluoguxiang Station.
- You can take Bus No.42 and No.701 and get off Dianmen dong Station, then walk about 300 meters to east along Ping An Dajie.
- Youcan also take Bus No.107, No.124 and No.635 and get off at Baochao hutong, then walk about 200 meters from west to east.
By subway
Visitors can take Subway Line 6 or Line 8 and get off at Nanluoguxiang Station.
